04/06/2025

BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 4, 2025

16

Malayan Flour Mills expands production capacity

Duopharma Biotech records milestone in halal-certified treatments KUALA LUMPUR: Duopharma Biotech Bhd achieved another milestone in halal pharmaceuticals recently, when it received halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) for a biosimilar product used in the treatment of anaemia associated with chronic renal failure in adult haemodialysis and predialysis patients and paediatric patients on haemodialysis. The product is currently supplied to both government and private healthcare facilities in Malaysia. “At Duopharma Biotech, we are committed to expanding access to medicine in line with our ESG commitment,” said Duopharma Biotech group managing director Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar. “As Malaysia’s leading halal pharmaceutical company, this new halal certification milestone will further motivate our efforts to provide consumers and patients with access to medicines and therapies that are assured safe and effective, high in quality, hygienic and halal from the start. “By offering a comprehensive range of halal-certified therapies, medications and products, we are able to enhance inclusivity in healthcare, offering patients choices for their healthcare needs.” Duopharma Biotech’s initiatives in growing the halal pharmaceuticals sector includes organising the Halal Pharmaceuticals Symposium since 2016, which gathers international experts, industry leaders and standards and regulatory agencies to advance the integration of halal pharmaceuticals into the global healthcare system. In 2022, Duopharma Biotech received halal certification for an oncology product manufactured at its HAPI facility in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, formulated to treat postmenopausal women with both early and advanced breast cancer. The company also pioneered a comprehensive range of halal certified health supplements, including CHAMPS, Flavettes, Proviton, and Naturalle, produced in strict compliance with MS 1500:2009 standards.

o New Lumut line increases group’s milling capacity to 2,400 metric tonnes per day Staple foods producer Malayan Flour Mills Bhd (MFM) yesterday commissioned a new flour milling line of 600 metric tonnes (MT) per day at its Lumut facility in Sitiawan, Perak, adding 33% more to the group’s production capacity in Malaysia to 2,400 MT per day. MFM invested RM31.5 million in capital expenditure to install the new milling line in Lumut, reinforcing the group’s commitment to ensuring a stable and reliable flour supply for households and food manufacturers in Malaysia. The new production line is equipped with the latest milling technology, which features high production efficiency, integrated automation process, as well as low energy consumption and minimal waste. The strategic investment aligns with the group’s long-term growth plans to meet rising consumer demand for flour-based products and support the nation’s food security efforts. “We saw a rising and sustainable demand for flour in Malaysia in recent years as our growing population looks to flour as carbohydrate alternative,” executive deputy chairman and managing director Teh Wee Chye said. “This momentum was evident in the strong growth of our flour milling business in terms of profitability. “The launch of our new milling line in Lumut is timely to tap into these growing opportunities,” he said. In addition to increasing flour production capacity, he said the new state-of-the-art line KUALA LUMPUR:

The new production line is equipped with the latest milling technology.

joint venture and share of joint venture results, growing 83.0% from RM68.9 million previously while maintaining a stable revenue base of RM3.1 billion. Meanwhile, sales tonnage increased by 23.5% in FY2024, reflecting the growing demand. Currently, MFM operates two flour mills in Malaysia – one in Lumut, Perak, and another in Pasir Gudang, Johor. At the plant commissioning event, Teh said: “With the expansion, we are well-positioned to explore further growth opportunities, including new product development and market penetration to better serve consumers in the country.”

will enhance efficiency and cost effectiveness in their operations. “Our investment in this new line certainly places us on a firm footing to be a leading supplier of flour in the country,” he said, adding that whilst playing their role in food security and economic development, MFM aims to create shareholder value through an increase in market share. The Flour and Grain Trading segment in Malaysia and Vietnam showed strong performance in the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024 (FY2024), which saw the segment record an adjusted profit after tax of RM126.1 million, after excluding impairment loss on investment of a

Local institutions and retailers continue net buying on Bursa KUALA LUMPUR: Local institutions continued their two-week buying streak on Bursa Malaysia with net inflows amounting to RM876.5 million, bringing their year-to-date net buying to RM8.78 billion. institutions and local retailers seeing an increase of 0.03% and 1.0%, respectively, while foreign investors saw a rise of 45.6%,” it said. RM61.4 million to RM456.7 million. The largest outflow was recorded on Friday at RM456.7 million, followed by Thursday at RM234.6 million. “The three sectors that recorded the highest net foreign inflows were property (RM47.9 million), construction (RM33.3 million), and energy (RM5.2 million).

Meanwhile, the investment bank reported that foreign investors continued their streak of net outflows on Bursa Malaysia that extended to a two-week selling streak, recording a net withdrawal of RM1.02 billion, nearly 2.6 times higher than the previous week’s outflow of RM392.3 million. It said the foreign investors were net sellers on every trading day, with outflows ranging from

MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd, in its Fund Flow Report for the week ended May 30, 2025, said that local retailers also extended their trend of net buying to two weeks, recording a net inflow of RM142.6 million. “The average daily trading volume saw a broad-based incline last week, with local

“The top three sectors that recorded the highest net foreign outflows were financial services (RM565.8 million), consumer products and services (RM172.2 million), and healthcare (RM129.9 million),” the bank added. – Bernama

Deleum completes acquisition of PT OSA Industries Indonesia KUALA LUMPUR: Oil & gas (O&G) services provider Deleum Bhd has completed its acquisition of a 70% equity interest in PT OSA Industries Indonesia for US$7 million (RM31.3 million). In a statement, Deleum said the acquisition strengthens its presence in the Southeast Asian O&G sector, boosting its technical capabilities in valve maintenance and extending its operational footprint in Indonesia.

to deliver more comprehensive, regional scale solutions to customers across Southeast Asia. Deleum Bhd Group CEO Rao Abdullah said: “The completion of the acquisition marks a strategic turning point for Deleum as we move beyond domestic borders to establish a stronger regional platform. We are committed to strengthen the business under our stewardship, driving long term-value. “With our technical capabilities, market insights, and fresh perspective, we believe we can further enhance PT OSA’s capabilities and performance. “Our goal is to expand PT OSA’s market reach within Indonesia, delivering more comprehensive solutions to our customers and ultimately increasing shareholder’s value through sustainable growth.”

It added that the acquisition also complements the group’s existing valve business under its subsidiary, Penaga Dresser Sdn Bhd, based in Malaysia. With the acquisition now completed, Deleum will shift its focus towards integrating PT OSA’s operations and aligning business practices to unlock cross-border synergies. The group plans to enhance valve lifecycle management services, streamline delivery processes, and share technical expertise between the Malaysian and Indonesian teams. These integration efforts will enable Deleum

The acquisition was executed via Deleum’s wholly owned subsidiary, Deleum Services Sdn Bhd, and forms a strategic part of the group’s expansion strategy in the regional front. PT OSA is an established Indonesian company specialising in the supply, servicing, and maintenance of valves for the O&G sector. Since 2017, the company has been the exclusive channel partner for Baker Hughes valves in Indonesia, serving major clients in the energy and industrial sectors through its facility in Cikarang with a team of over 70 technical personnel.

PT OSA founder and director Ong Siow Aik (left) and Rao.